Remember When: Tarlton boy earned the nickname “Brick”

Arlow F. Mowery (one of 6 children) was born in Tarlton, in 1872 to William and Lehanna Mowery. We “met” because he kept appearing in articles on pages where something else was being researched, as though he was “demanding” his story be told. An article in the Daily Eagle (1935 June 14) retold the story of local men during the Spanish-American War who were on the Isle of Veques in Sept. 1898 soon after the armistice had been signed. Among the men mentioned were Fred Whiley, George Sells and A. F. Mowery, 26 years old.

A. F. returned to Pickaway County and married Nellie O’Connor in June 1899. The 1900 census shows the couple living in Circleville where his occupation was listed as “Brick Mason.” By 1902 they were living at 305 W. Fair Ave. in Lancaster. February 14, 1902 was the date the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union, Local No. 49 was organized. The first officers were listed in the newspaper, and included was Arlow F. Mowery, corresponding secretary.

A. F. Mowery and Oscar Darbyshire formed a partnership “to enter into contracts for all kinds of brick work,” announced the Daily Eagle (1902 Nov. 25). They already had contracts for the brick work of the new Rutter building, Dr. Harman’s flats, and a new addition to P. Rising’s home. In 1905 they laid brick for the new Methodist Church. In 1908 they laid brick for the new St. Mary’s Convent and completed three brick homes in Bremen as well as a large residence in Baltimore.

The local Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks purchased 129 E. Main St. in 1919 to become the “new” Elks’ Lodge. After the building was purchased, “…the Trustees secured the services of Architect and Builder A. F. Mowery to take charge of the entire construction, which took nearly two years to complete. Older parts of the home were wrecked and removed, work was started July 12, 1919 and the home occupied in April 1921.”

There were setbacks. The Daily Eagle reported, “Collapses. The entire end to the north, a six inch brick wall went down clean cut without damaging the side walls at all…Superintendent A. F. Mowery only a few days ago suggested…the entire end of the old building should be torn down and rebuilt” (3 Sept. 1919). The Daily Eagle (May 26, 1920) next reported, “…a scaffold fell about 18 feet at the $125,000 Elks’ new building on which they were working…Mr. Mowery required about ten stitches to close up the wounds in his head.” Today, 129 E. Main is the location of Maria’s Mexican Restaurant.

Personally, A. F. was still on the move. By 1914 his family was living at 1103 N. Columbus St.

In April 1920 he sold this residence to George Abdallah and purchased the “fine old home of Mr. E. B. Carmell at 405 N. Columbus St. During the next two years A. F. built a brick house on the rear of his corner lot.

In March of 1923, A. F. received the contract for all of the brick work for the new Elks’ Lodge being constructed in Circleville. The Daily Eagle (19 Feb. 1924) reported: “[It was a wise decision to sublet] … the masonry to Arlow F. Mowery of Lancaster, who is a native of Circleville, without a doubt that portion of the structure will be a living monument to his integrity and trustworthiness and a contract that he can point to with pride.”

Back in Lancaster in the spring of 1924, A. F. Mowery sold his property at the corner of Columbus and Union Streets to Frank E. Smith, funeral director. He planned to convert it into a business property. Along with this news came the announcement that A. F. and family were “temporarily” moving to Columbus while he finished the brick on a new school under construction in Amanda. By August 1924, it was reported A. F. had purchased a lot in Columbus at the corner of Bryden Road and Rhodes Ave. for $7,000. He planned to “erect a modern residence at once.” The 1930 census listed their address as 1885 Bryden Road.

Arlow F. Mowery died in 1944 and his wife Nellie in 1946. They resided in Lancaster for about 22 years, and it seems they “built” more than their share of Lancaster. This article only highlights some of his brick work.  A. F. Mowery certainly earned the name A. F. “Brick” Mowery, and should be remembered for his efforts.

Readers may contact Harvey at joycelancastereg@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Remember When: Tarlton boy earned the nickname “Brick”